Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Chazz Anderson Interview

Chazz Anderson began competing in 2008 and has been able to improve each time. That is a big statement considering how incredible she looks each show. More incredible with being a full time mother, wife, and working. As you can read simply by this interview, Chazz loves what she does and has a real passion for it. Chazz had a great 2010 and I expect a huge 2011 for this beautiful Figure competitor.

Q: First, Chazz, I want to thank you for taking the time to do this.

Q: Can you start out by telling a little about yourself. A: I was born in Missouri. I have also lived in West Virginia, Alaska, Texas and finally stopped moving when I came to Oklahoma! I am married with a 10 year old daughter. I also have a dog and a turtle! I love to be busy and am passionate about competing in the NPC and look forward to my next show at NPC Nationals in Atlanta!

Q: Before the gym were you an especially athletic person? Play any sports or anything? A: Yes! I grew up always wanting to do sports. I started in basketball. Then, cheerleading and softball became a part of my life. I was also very competitive. Always entering contests just to see what I could accomplish. I was voted most athletic of my senior class in 1993! And, if you ask me to arm wrestle you, I will!

Q: What initially led you into the gym?A: I wanted to stay in shape after getting out of high school. I was so active, I learned after high school that not being as active and eating whatever I wanted wasn’t working! So I joined a gym. I usually stuck to cardio however as the machines intimidated me!

Q: Was training something you picked up fairly easy? How long before you started to see results?A: Not necessarily! It took me awhile to see results mostly because of my eating habits. However, once I became active in pageants, I learned an important word: CARBOHYDRATE. I knew that eating pasta before bed was a no no. I was still in my 20’s though, so you live and learn!

Q: What made you decide to compete for the first time?A: I have a book I bought about 13 years ago with Rachel McLish on the cover called “Pumping Up”. I thought she was gorgeous! It covered athletes like McLish, Cory Everson and Gladys Portuguese among others. I wanted to be them SOO bad! But I was intimidated by the gym. I didn’t know how to work out. So, finally about three years ago, I was encouraged to do a show. I had a trainer and she taught me how to train better.

Q: Was competing something your family and friends supported at the time?A: They weren’t surprised I wanted to do it given my history of athletics and competing. But they didn’t understand it at all! They couldn’t understand why I had to eat at a certain time, eat the same food, and drink tons of water. In fact, I still think they don’t get it because I am still offered desserts at family gatherings! They do however support me and realize I am in the best shape of my life and eating healthy and working out often is the reason why!

Q: Was competing what you expected? Did anything surprise you about it?A: It wasn’t what I expected at all! I thought the posing was going to be so easy. No way! It is very difficult and you really need to condition yourself well for a show. The diet did surprise me. No dressings, ketchup and things like that were hard to give up!

Q: As far as body parts, what do you feel is your best one?A: Well…this one is a fun one! Everyone tells me it’s my caboose! But I like to think I am well rounded and like my back as well.

Q: Do you have a part you most like to train?A: I like training my shoulders. I love to see them grow during the workout!

Q: What is your normal training routine and diet like, and how do you alter it for contest prep?A: I eat high protein and low carb during off season. I will indulge here and there but I am gluten intolerant so that actually helps me keep my diet in check! I alter it quite a bit for contest prep. I stick to the staple foods most of us who compete eat. I love my oatmeal and actually eat it everyday during offseason! Though I am known to add item to my oatmeal like cranberries, raisins, pumpkin..I could go on…

Q: When someone sees your physique or hears you compete for the first time, what is the most common reaction? More positive or negative?A: Positive because they are not sure what it is all about. I have to explain it a lot but I don’t mind! Here lately I get a lot of ‘hey, are you a trainer?’ or ‘are you a bodybuilder?’ which is nice! Some folks are interested in doing it themselves, that is until I tell them how disciplined you must be with working out and diet and it is mentally challenging!

Q: When they see it that first time, what is the one question or comment you are most sick of hearing?A: I don’t think I get sick of any comments! Folks just don’t know much about it so they don’t know any better than to comment or ask!

Q: What is the biggest misconception about women who train and compete or the one thing you wish people understood?A: That we don’t train as hard as the men! Whatever! You bet we do! LOL!

Q: What is the best and worst part of competing?A: Diet and diet! I like to eat clean because of the way I feel when I do, but after eating the same items for about 8 months this year, oy! I want some pizza man!

Q: Do you have any favorite competitors or any you admire?A: Erin Stern. I love her look and her lines. Gorgeous!

Q: Do you have a favorite cheat food?A: Anything with sugar in it! Honestly though, I love white birthday cake with buttercream icing from the grocery store with vanilla ice cream.

Q: If another woman told you she wanted to start training, what is the one piece of advice you would most want to give her?A: I would tell her the time it takes to do it. I am up at 4:15ish a.m. every day to do my first round of working out. I then go to work for about 9-10 hours and then am back in the gym again that evening at 5:30. Total gym time each day for me is about three hours. I work full time and am a wife and mother so you have to be able to juggle a lot of things at once.

Q: Is fitness modeling something that interests you?A: Yes! I would love to do this! I do photography on the side as a hobby and am on that side of the camera a lot, but am told I am photogenic and model well and would love to do this for sure! I had an amazing photo shoot with Danny Fittro with Fit Treasures which was one of my best shoots ever!

Q: Outside of training, any other hobbies or activities you enjoy?A: Photography, spending time with family, down time on the couch watching television! I love to travel too! Oh and my husband just bought a RZR by Polaris so I guess we will be going to the sand dunes in the panhandle of Oklahoma soon! Who knows..maybe I will take up racing the darn thing!

Q: Can you describe a typical day in the life of Chazz Anderson.A: 4:15 a.m.-Gym for hour of cardio. Drop the kiddo off at school by 8. Manage the fraud department at a large corporate bank for about 9-10 hours a day. 5:30 p.m.back in the gym for lifting and more cardio. When I get home, I typically clean the kitchen, do laundry, cook my food, talk to family about their day and help daughter with homework if she hasn’t done it already! On weekends I may have a photo shoot booked in addition to training so I am on the go constantly! And at some point during the hectic day, I check my Facebook!

Q: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?A: In 2006 I was crowned Mrs. Oklahoma and competed at Mrs. America! I competed six times before I was crowned Mrs. Oklahoma. While there, they had a barrel race (yes, with real horses!) and I won! I used to ride in rodeos in my youth as well so it came natural to me. Competing at Mrs. America is something I have in common with fitness Pro Melissa Hall.

Q: Any set plans for the near future as far as competing or anything else?A: NPC Nationals in Atlanta Oct. 16. In 2011 I plan on competing in two or three NPC national level shows. (NOTE: Chazz has since competed at Nationals and looked absolutely incredible)

Q: Anything you want to take this opportunity to plug or promote?A: My coach! Chris Waid is his name. He is the reason I am where I am today in competing. He taught me a lot about diet and training and is as passionate about me winning as I am. Thank you to him and the “Go Figure” team that supports me! I am glad to be a “Go Figure” gal!

Q: Are you looking for sponsors? If so how can they reach you and what are they getting in Chazz Anderson the athlete and competitor?A: Yes! I would love the opportunity to be sponsored by someone. I am dedicated, professional and feel I have a lot to offer! I can be reached on Facebook/Chazz Anderson National Level Competitor or email chazzbug@yahoo.com.

Q: Chazz , again, I thank you for taking the time to do this. Any last words before you go?A: Never ever ever give up!